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TALE OF THE TAPE

College Football Week 10: #10 Clemson At Duke

#10 Clemson

Duke

Coaching

After the loss to Florida State, many forgot about Clemson, but this team has dominated most everyone on its schedule and still has a shot at reaching the ACC title game. Dabo Swinney has done a great job.

Winner
David Cutcliffe’s team has exceeded all expectations, but even getting two wins in these last three games might be asking too much.

Offense

Winner
Clemson’s offense has been consistently above-average all season. Andre Ellington, and not Sammy Watkins, has been Tahj Boyd’s favorite target.

Duke couldn’t do anything against Florida State, which has been the theme for the Blue Devils against the elite teams.

Defense

Winner
Clemson’s schedule hasn’t exposed its sub-par defense very often. The Tigers’ defense needs to improve if the program is going to take the next step, but it likely won’t cost them another ACC game.

There is little doubt that Clemson will have success against Duke’s porous defense. FSU, which has a similar offense to Clemson, rolled up 560 yards last week against the Blue Devils.

Special Teams

Winner
Clemson does everything well as far as special teams. The Tigers are seventh in special teams efficiency.

Duke’s special teams have been decent. Freshman Ross Martin is 14 for 16 on field goals.

The Winner Is

Winner#10 Clemson

3 out of 4

Clemson is the much better all-around team and shouldn’t have any problems with the Blue Devils.